PSYCHIAT 773A/B : Youth Forensic Psychiatry

Medical and Health Sciences

2021 Semester One (1213) / Semester Two (1215) (30 POINTS)

Course Prescription

Students develop an in-depth understanding of offending, particularly for youth offenders, and the relationship to mental illness. Addresses key roles and responsibilities of key stakeholders and members of the multidisciplinary team in the justice and youth justice systems.

Course Overview

This course is completed over two semesters in one calendar year and is based at the University of Auckland.  Teaching is from a range of presenters  who work in the field or related areas.   Learning objectives include increased familiarity with relevant legislation, increased understanding  of the pathways and processes in youth forensics, ethical and professional issues, and common clinical and forensic issues.

Course Requirements

To complete this course students must enrol in PSYCHIAT 773 A and B, or PSYCHIAT 773

Course Contacts

Academic Coordinator: Ingalise Jensen (ingalisej@adhb.govt.nz), Dr James Gardiner (JGardiner@adhb.govt.nz).
Administration/kaiāwhina: Sherie Crosby (Sherie.Crosby@auckland.ac.nz).

Capabilities Developed in this Course

Capability 1: Disciplinary Knowledge and Practice
Capability 2: Critical Thinking
Capability 3: Solution Seeking
Capability 4: Communication and Engagement
Capability 5: Independence and Integrity
Capability 6: Social and Environmental Responsibilities
Graduate Profile: Master of Health Practice

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to:
  1. Describe the legislative framework, and demonstrate understanding of the effect on their own clinical practice of these laws. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 5.1 and 5.2)
  2. Describe the complex range of pathways and processes of a young person entering the Youth Forensic system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  3. Analyse own practice with reference to ethical debates related to both general and youth Forensics. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  4. Apply an understanding of the historical context of youth forensics to explain strengths and weaknesses of the current system. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  5. Demonstrate consideration of capacities required for fitness to stand trial evaluations. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1)
  6. Describe the effects of neurodevelopmental disabilities in the context of the Youth Forensic setting. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  7. Weigh issues of risk and safety based on evidence-based approaches, when completing evaluations of adolescents. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 6.1 and 6.2)
  8. Demonstrate the ability to succinctly present a complex case in writing and while giving evidence, at such a level as would be expected in the Courts. (Capability 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2 and 6.1)

Assessments

Assessment Type Percentage Classification
Presentation 15% Individual Coursework
Quizzes 10% Individual Coursework
Reflection 40% Individual Coursework
Report 20% Individual Coursework
Practical 15% Individual Coursework
Assessment Type Learning Outcome Addressed
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Presentation
Quizzes
Reflection
Report
Practical

Workload Expectations

This course is a standard 30 point course and students are expected to spend 10 hours per week involved in each 15 point course that they are enrolled in.

For this course, you can expect 8 days (in four two day blocks) of teaching, 100 hours of reading and thinking about the content and 120 hours of work on assignments and/or test preparation.

Delivery Mode

Campus Experience

Attendance is expected at scheduled activities including seminars to complete components of the course.
Some lectures will be available as recordings, but sensitive material will not be made available, so it is in your best interests to attend. 
Course Readings and other material is delivered online. 
The activities for the course are scheduled to be delivered as 4 blocks throughout the year.

Student Feedback

At the end of every semester students will be invited to give feedback on the course and teaching through a tool called SET or Qualtrics. The lecturers and course co-ordinators will consider all feedback and respond with summaries and actions.

Your feedback helps teachers to improve the course and its delivery for future students.

Class Representatives in each class can take feedback to the department and faculty staff-student consultative committees.

Digital Resources

Course materials are made available in a learning and collaboration tool called Canvas which also includes reading lists and lecture recordings (where available).

Please remember that the recording of any class on a personal device requires the permission of the instructor.

Academic Integrity

The University of Auckland will not tolerate cheating, or assisting others to cheat, and views cheating in coursework as a serious academic offence. The work that a student submits for grading must be the student's own work, reflecting their learning. Where work from other sources is used, it must be properly acknowledged and referenced. This requirement also applies to sources on the internet. A student's assessed work may be reviewed against online source material using computerised detection mechanisms.

Inclusive Learning

All students are asked to discuss any impairment related requirements privately, face to face and/or in written form with the course coordinator, lecturer or tutor.

Student Disability Services also provides support for students with a wide range of impairments, both visible and invisible, to succeed and excel at the University. For more information and contact details, please visit the Student Disability Services’ website http://disability.auckland.ac.nz

Special Circumstances

If your ability to complete assessed coursework is affected by illness or other personal circumstances outside of your control, contact a member of teaching staff as soon as possible before the assessment is due.

If your personal circumstances significantly affect your performance, or preparation, for an exam or eligible written test, refer to the University’s aegrotat or compassionate consideration page https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-and-compassionate-consideration.html.

This should be done as soon as possible and no later than seven days after the affected test or exam date.

Learning Continuity

In the event of an unexpected disruption we undertake to maintain the continuity and standard of teaching and learning in all your courses throughout the year. If there are unexpected disruptions the University has contingency plans to ensure that access to your course continues and your assessment is fair, and not compromised. Some adjustments may need to be made in emergencies. You will be kept fully informed by your course co-ordinator, and if disruption occurs you should refer to the University Website for information about how to proceed.

Student Charter and Responsibilities

The Student Charter assumes and acknowledges that students are active participants in the learning process and that they have responsibilities to the institution and the international community of scholars. The University expects that students will act at all times in a way that demonstrates respect for the rights of other students and staff so that the learning environment is both safe and productive. For further information visit Student Charter https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/forms-policies-and-guidelines/student-policies-and-guidelines/student-charter.html.

Disclaimer

Elements of this outline may be subject to change. The latest information about the course will be available for enrolled students in Canvas.

In this course you may be asked to submit your coursework assessments digitally. The University reserves the right to conduct scheduled tests and examinations for this course online or through the use of computers or other electronic devices. Where tests or examinations are conducted online remote invigilation arrangements may be used. The final decision on the completion mode for a test or examination, and remote invigilation arrangements where applicable, will be advised to students at least 10 days prior to the scheduled date of the assessment, or in the case of an examination when the examination timetable is published.